An old man was gathering sticks in a forest.

　　有个老人在森林中砍了不少柴，十分吃力地挑着走了很远的路。

　　At last he grew very tired and hopeless. He threw down all the sticks and cried out， “I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah， I wish Death would come and take me!”

　　一路上他累极了，实在挑不动了，便扔下柴担，叫喊起来：“这种日子我受不了了，死神啊，带我走吧。”

　　As he spoke， Death appeared， and said to him， “What would you do， old man? I heard you call me.”

　　这时，死神来了，对他说：“老头，你想做什么，我听见你叫我?”

　　“Please， sir，” replied the old man， “would you help me lift this bundle of sticks up to my shoulder?”

　　“先生”，老人说，“您能帮忙将那担子放在我的肩上吗?”

　　寓意

　　即使生活不幸，人们仍需爱惜生命。